By Nick Egerton

It was a crisp sunny afternoon without a breath of wind. That combined with an excellent looking pitch should have provided the ingredients for an excellent game of football. The opposition in their pristine white kit and a full compliment of substitutes certainly appeared to be up for it.

The pre-match talk was all about getting the early goals and killing off the game before half time. Stand-in skipper Dixson made couple of surprising tactical changes by playing Fran upfront and dropping himself to the bench.

The first half was a largely forgettable affair. Despite Nevin's unique form of encouragement (he must have been a Drill Sergeant in a previous life) our first touch and fluency was absent. Whether it was the ball, nerves, skidding top layer of the pitch or simple lack of talent it is hard to say. On the few occasions we did get into a decent position the final ball was poor. The opposition lost one man early on and the poor chap that Noisy was marking had to go off (suspected perforated ear drum). Despite playing well below par Marion had very little to do and was able to enjoy the sunshine and sink a couple of cocktails.

Half Time: 0 - 0

Stern words were spoken at half time. We all knew that the performance was simply not good enough. Dixson again shuffled the pack. He bought himself on for Llung (who was carrying a back injury). Fran moved to right back, Marco into the middle alongside Noisy with Lees at left back. Dixson slotted into central midfield and Egerton was pushed up to partner Cain.

Straight from the kick-off we looked a different team. Our control and passing was much better and we were generally winning all the individual battles. The game was largely being played in the oppositions half and eventually our pressure paid off. A pinpoint Peckham delivery from a corner was met perfectly by the unchallenged Noisy at the near post who made no mistake.

The goal seemed to lift a weight from the team and the quality of play again increased a notch. It wasn't long before the second goal came. A break down the left resulted in Peckham supplying his second assist of the game when he pulled it back to Dixson. From 25 yards (or 22.86 meters if you prefer) the skipper unleashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

The second goal seemed to kill off the opposition and it was only a matter of time before we scored again. Mergim delivered a beautifully flighted ball from the right, Egerton couldn't get his lard arse off the ground and Poissonnier stooped to power a header into the bottom corner. Again the keeper had no chance.

At 3 - 0 Marion decided to provide the comedy moment of the match. I think he'd had one Pina Colada too many and decided to sprint (I use the term loosely) out of his area. Ignoring Noisy's call he then proceeded to scuff his clearance straight to an opponent who finished with a neat chip from 30 yards.

The action hadn't quite finished yet. Fran rolled back the years - it's hard to believe that he'll be 73 next Tuesday. Galloping like a thoroughbred he overlapped a tiring Mergim (who'd put in an excellent second half shift) on the right and supplied a perfect ball into the box. Even Club Foot couldn't miss.

Full Time: 4 - 1

It was another disjointed performance and it's hard to know why we were so poor in the first half. I think we may be putting too much pressure on ourselves by expecting to have killed the game off by half time. I don't think a 0 - 0 half time scoreline is disastrous. We are generally fitter than the opposition and hence have a tendency to get stronger and play better as the game goes on. 3 wins out of the last 4 while Gerry has been away and we're upto 5th in the league so it's hardly all doom and gloom. Anyway, that's my tuppence worth.

Team:
Walecki: had little to do but needs to cut down on in-match cocktail consumption to avoid comedy moments.
Lees: solid display but like most the team left his first touch and passing ability in the changing room for the first half
Llung: again, a solid display.
Noisy: head and shoulders above everyone else in the team. It's very quiet out there when Sean is not talking. However, still capable of the odd defensive comedy moment.
Martinello: quietly went about his business and didn't need to get a hair out of place. The sponsors will be happy.
Bajraktari: another who had the yips in the first half. Made up for it with some excellent deliveries in the second period.
Egerton: couldn't trap a bag a sand or find a team-mate in the first half. Improved in the second.
Peckham: strong showing from the reliable midfielder with two assists. The only other serious contender for MoM.
Poissonnier: busy performance with his own comedy moment when through with the keeper to beat. Excellent header for the third goal.
Cain: a quiet game from the goal machine. Not helped by some poor refereeing decisions.
Thomas: this BUFC legend is a walking advert for Complan. He just gets better with age.
Dixson: a calming influence when introduced. Belter of a goal

MoM: 1st - Noisy; 2nd - Peckham; 3rd - Thomas
Starting line-up: Walecki, Lees, Llung, Noisy, Martiniello, Egerton, Peckham, Dixson, Poissonnier, Cain, Bajraktari
Sub: Dixson (Llung H-T)
Goals: Noisy, Dixson, Poissonnier, Egerton